LONG Bio

Austin Weyand — 2014 State of Wyoming and 2012 State of Utah Fingerstyle Guitar Champion

Austin Weyand is a passionate musician who is sought after as a performer, composer, arranger, and educator. He has run the gamut of performing situations from playing guitar concertos with symphony orchestras, jazz jam sessions in Chicago, bluegrass and Celtic music on a tour through Europe, a rock band throughout the inter-mountain west, to Spanish Flamenco for an 8 week run of the U.S. Premiere of Zorro the Musical.

Drawing from this range of musical styles and experiences Austin creates a truly diverse and awe-inspiring experience with his pianistic approach to the guitar. He displays melody, harmony, bass lines, even percussion in stellar arrangements and compositions that fascinate audiences wherever he performs.

Austin is the 2014 champion of the state of Wyoming fingerstyle guitar competition as well as the 2012 champion for the state of Utah. He holds the same title in Wyoming for 2008 and has drawn attention to his music from musicians and fans. National Fingerstyle Guitar Champion Chris Proctor says, “Austin plays imaginative, original pieces and arrangements for solo guitar with a fine technique and excellent tone. If you like solo acoustic guitar, you’ll find his music right up your alley.”

Jeff Whiteley from "Excellence in the Community" Concert Series, Salt Lake City says, "Austin is an astounding player. His show was awesome. I loved all of it. I don’t sleep very well after great shows. I keep reviewing the songs in my head. So I guess it was not a surprise that I didn't sleep very well after Austin’s concert. My sincere compliments to him and his band. They did a great job for us and we will have them back."

Austin has recorded two solo albums. “They Call me Dad” Songs for my daughters, contains 11 of Austin's compositions and/or arrangements for guitar and violin which are dedicated to his three girls. It contains songs such as “Carry Me,” “Kiki’s Smile,” and “Crawling” that were written specifically for each of his daughters as well as covers of songs that have special meaning. Tracks such as “Time in a Bottle” by Jim Croce, “Concerning hobbits” from The Lord of the Rings, as well as others.

Family, friends and various life situations have played an important part in the inspiration that has led to Austin’s style. Composing pieces about his daughters, wife, and mother for example, give his pieces depth and feeling. Austin’s style is all his own, because in his guitar performances he expresses pieces of his life story.

Austin’s first solo album entitled “Too Much Information” showcases powerful solo guitar instrumentals, 9 of which are Austins own compositions and arrangements. They include groove-based intricate compositions such as “House of Chuckles” and “E Minor Ooze” that will keep your foot tapping; melodic ballads “Kassie’s Wisdom” and “Crawling” that were written for his wife and daughter; and thoughtful, inspiring arrangements of both popular and traditional music including a stellar rendition of the 1971 “Who” classic “Behind Blue Eyes”.

Austin holds a masters degree in Guitar from Northern Illinois University where he studied intensively with eclectic classical, jazz, and world music recording artist Fareed Haque. For undergraduate studies, Austin received a baccalaureate degree in guitar performance from Utah State University where he studied with Michael Christiansen. There he received many accolades, including Outstanding Guitarist Award and two-time winner of the USU concerto competition. He is now an adjunct Professor of guitar at Utah State University.

Austin has performed with various bands and recording projects over the years including for national television and radio. Along with performing solo and with "The Austin Weyand Acoustic Band," he plays guitar with Troubadour77www.troubadour77.com, a 5 piece band featuring award winning songwriters Anna Wilson & Monty Powell. The band pays homage to the 70s Troubadour era with original songs.

"Austin is an astounding player. His show was awesome. I loved all of it. I don’t sleep very well after great shows. I keep reviewing the songs in my head. So I guess it was not a surprise that I didn't sleep very well after Austin’s concert. My sincere compliments to him and his band. They did a great job for us and we will have them back."

“I’ve seen Andres Segovia, Doc Watson in his prime a half-dozen times, Tommy Emmanuel, and numerous other splendid and wonderful guitarists. I’m also a fan of Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, and Django. Considering all these greats, Austin may still be my all time favorite.”

– James Romeyn CEO Prime-Vibe

Short Bio

Austin Weyand — 2014 State of Wyoming and 2012 State of Utah Fingerstyle Guitar Champion

Austin Weyand is a passionate musician who is sought after as a performer, composer, arranger, and educator. He has run the gamut of performing situations from playing guitar concertos with symphony orchestras, jazz jam sessions in Chicago, bluegrass and Celtic music on a tour through Europe, a rock band throughout the inter-mountain west, to Spanish Flamenco for an 8 week run of the U.S. Premiere of Zorro the Musical.

Drawing from this range of musical styles and experiences Austin creates a truly diverse and awe-inspiring experience with his pianistic approach to the guitar. He displays melody, harmony, bass lines, even percussion in stellar arrangements and compositions that fascinate audiences wherever he performs.

He has recorded 2 solo albums and is the 2014 champion of the state of Wyoming Fingerstyle Guitar Competition. He holds the same title in Utah for 2012. He is an Adjunct Professor of guitar at Utah State University in Logan Utah. Along with his solo work her performs inTroubadour77 www.troubadour77.com, a 5 piece band featuring award winning songwriters Anna Wilson & Monty Powell. The band pays homage to the 70s Troubadour era with original songs.

"Austin is an astounding player. His show was awesome. I loved all of it. I don’t sleep very well after great shows. I keep reviewing the songs in my head. So I guess it was not a surprise that I didn't sleep very well after Austin’s concert. My sincere compliments to him and his band. They did a great job for us and we will have them back."

“I’ve seen Andres Segovia, Doc Watson in his prime a half-dozen times, Tommy Emmanuel, and numerous other splendid and wonderful guitarists. I’m also a fan of Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, and Django. Considering all these greats, Austin may still be my all time favorite.”